World Cup 2018: Top tips for visiting Russia this summer

The 2018 World Cup in Russia offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a unique mix of sport and culture.

Fans will be able to experience Russian life in some stunningly beautiful cities, while the tournament itself is likely to be hugely exciting.

Read on for our top three recommended cities to visit and some useful tips to help you make the most from your World Cup experience.

Top 3 cities to visit

Moscow

Moscow is the main political, economic and cultural centre of Russia and will host several matches during the tournament including the final on July 15.

Utilise a bonus from Bitstarz to boost your budget for touring around stunning buildings like The Kremlin, the Bolshoi Theatre and the Tretyakov Gallery.

Gorky Park and Lenin’s Mausoleum are also well-worth visiting, while food lovers can enjoy the city’s numerous top class restaurants.

Sochi

Sochi will be forever linked to the doping scandal at the 2014 Winter Olympics, but it remains one of the most beautiful cities in Russia.

The summer beach resort is situated on the banks of the Black Sea and boasts a vast array of restaurants, bars and entertainment centres.

The city also has numerous museums including Stalin’s Summer Residence, while the Sochi State Circus is also based there.

Sochi offers lots of opportunities for sports including mountain climbing, diving, sailing, skiing and much more.

St Petersburg

St Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It features large squares, straight streets, rivers and canals, while there are also various gardens and parks if you fancy relaxing.

The fountains of Peterhof are one of Russia’s most famous tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors every year.

Fountains were an important part of Peter the Great’s original plans for Peterhof and subsequent generations competed with their predecessors to add grander and ever more ingenious water features to the parkland surrounding the Grand Palace.

Useful travel trips for Russia

Research the Moscow Metro

If you’re planning on getting around the capital, the Moscow Metro will be crucial to your plans.

Take a colour map written in both English and Russian, just in case you need to ask for help. Count the number of stations you need to travel, as some of the signage around the network isn’t the best.

Allow yourself extra time to make sure you’re heading in the right direction, as there might not be staff on hand to assist you.

Check the forecast

Temperatures during the World Cup are expected to be above 20 degrees centigrade, so don’t be fooled into thinking that you’ll need cold weather clothing.

Shorts and flip-flops will be the order of the day when you’re on your travels, and don’t forget to pack the sun cream!

Keep yourself safe

The Euro 2016 championships in France were marred by violent clashes between hooligans, and there’s been threats of more at the World Cup in Russia.

England’s qualification for the tournament has increased security fears, although Russian authorities have insisted the event will be trouble-free.

Stay close to your fellow supporters and pay close attention to the advice on the areas to avoid around the various host cities.

Written by Karl Peters

Karl is a university graduate with years of experience in casual writing and freelance services. Always up to date on the latest trends and working hard to bring these trends to the forefront of the public eye. Lover of beer, dogs and cars and dedicated to being the best bachelor bro.